from multiple sources familiar with the retrievers, this year and last
confusion:
true for all teams - they don't really know what their first foe will do. it's more acute with hoyas given what, 7 or 8 new cats that might actually play.
offensively
expect a lot of ball screen stuff from the retrievers, including various angles and approaches.
personnel
most of their cats are back. so there is some continuity there.
hovrath is a key guy. 6'10ish 4 man. struggled last ooc sched, but came on in america east action. apparently was top 5 in rebounds in 36 minutes a game league-wide. droppped like 21 and almost 20r vs binghamton. covid cancellations hurt his all league chances. can score around the rim, carom, even hit some jumpers. is not super strong, but has worked hard to be able to hold his position. fights.
one guy the hoyas didn't see due to injury was darnell rogers - son of baltimore's shawnta rogers. only around 5'2", rogers can go! is fast, tough and has great feel for the game. can get up under a guy. given size can be exploited at times, but is a real difference maker. can shoot as well. in ball screen action, when he takes it down a notch, is really effective.
umbc likely as best frontcourt in america east, with hovrath and two 6'8" plus guys - spasovegic & akin, the latter being better offensively, latter more impactful on defense.
Lj owens can give them perimeter punch.
defensively
umbc is a man to man team. will mix certain ball screen coverages, but protects that lane.
will unleash rogers maybe around halfcourt to get under players and impede them. as long as the rim is protected.
confusion:
true for all teams - they don't really know what their first foe will do. it's more acute with hoyas given what, 7 or 8 new cats that might actually play.
offensively
expect a lot of ball screen stuff from the retrievers, including various angles and approaches.
personnel
most of their cats are back. so there is some continuity there.
hovrath is a key guy. 6'10ish 4 man. struggled last ooc sched, but came on in america east action. apparently was top 5 in rebounds in 36 minutes a game league-wide. droppped like 21 and almost 20r vs binghamton. covid cancellations hurt his all league chances. can score around the rim, carom, even hit some jumpers. is not super strong, but has worked hard to be able to hold his position. fights.
one guy the hoyas didn't see due to injury was darnell rogers - son of baltimore's shawnta rogers. only around 5'2", rogers can go! is fast, tough and has great feel for the game. can get up under a guy. given size can be exploited at times, but is a real difference maker. can shoot as well. in ball screen action, when he takes it down a notch, is really effective.
umbc likely as best frontcourt in america east, with hovrath and two 6'8" plus guys - spasovegic & akin, the latter being better offensively, latter more impactful on defense.
Lj owens can give them perimeter punch.
defensively
umbc is a man to man team. will mix certain ball screen coverages, but protects that lane.
will unleash rogers maybe around halfcourt to get under players and impede them. as long as the rim is protected.
